2 Things My Farmer Dad Did When Meeting People
Growing up on a farm taught me a lot about hard work, honesty, and the value of human connection. But the most lasting lessons didn’t always come from the fields or the barn—they came from watching my dad interact with people. A lifelong farmer, my dad was a man of few words but deep wisdom. He didn’t wear fancy clothes or talk in circles. Yet, whenever he met someone—whether it was a neighbor, a stranger, or a customer at the local farmers market—he had a way of making them feel seen and respected.
There were two things my farmer dad always did when meeting people, and over time I came to understand how powerful they really were.
1. He Looked People in the Eye and Gave a Firm Handshake
In today’s world, a handshake might seem like an old-fashioned gesture. But for my dad, it was a non-negotiable. When he met someone new, he would look them straight in the eye, offer a solid handshake, and say, “Good to meet you.” It was never rushed or forced. There was a quiet strength in it.
That handshake wasn’t just a greeting—it was a message. It said, “I see you. I respect you. You can trust me.” And when you’re a farmer, trust is everything. Whether you’re selling produce, borrowing equipment from a neighbor, or hiring someone to help during harvest, your word and your presence are your currency.
He used to say, “A man’s handshake tells you more than his words ever will.” Over the years, I saw people soften, smile, and stand a little taller after meeting him. That handshake built bridges long before any formal conversation began.
2. He Asked One Genuine Question
The second thing he always did was ask a simple, honest question. Not something rehearsed or polite for the sake of small talk—but a question that showed he was actually interested. It might be, “How’s your season going?” or “You getting enough rain where you are?” For someone who worked the land, weather and crops weren’t just topics—they were shared experiences, common ground.
Even when he met people outside the farming world, he found a way to connect. “How’s work been treating you?” or “You keeping busy?” Simple words, sure—but spoken with real intent. He listened to the answer, too. That was key. He wasn’t just asking to be nice; he was asking to understand.
This practice taught me that connection isn’t about saying the perfect thing. It’s about showing up, being real, and making space for someone else to speak. That one genuine question often opened up entire conversations. And because people felt heard, they remembered him.
More Than Manners
What my dad did when he met people wasn’t complicated. But in a world where people are constantly distracted, where conversations often stay at the surface, those two simple actions—eye contact with a firm handshake, and one genuine question—stood out. They built trust, sparked connection, and left a lasting impression.
You don’t have to be a farmer to use these lessons. No matter what you do or where you’re from, the way you greet someone matters. Look them in the eye. Ask something real. Listen like you mean it. These habits, passed down from a man with dirt under his nails and wisdom in his soul, have shaped how I interact with the world.
And every time I meet someone new, I think of my dad—and I do exactly what he did.
